Marlo Thomas misses the St. Jude portion of tonight’s show following Phil Donahue’s death

Marlo Thomas continues to mourn the loss of her beloved husband Phil Donahue, three months after his death.

On Monday, Nov. 25, Thomas, 87, who serves as national outreach director at St. Jude — the children’s research hospital her father, Danny Thomas, founded in 1962 — did not appear on the show Today Show to kick off the hospital’s annual “Thanks & Giving” series. It was the first time she did not appear on the show since she launched the campaign with her siblings 21 years ago.

Her brother Tony Thomas appeared in her place after Savannah Guthrie said: “For the first time in the 21 years of our show, Marlo is not with us this morning. She takes some time off after the loss of her beloved husband. Phil Donahue.

According to a statement from his family obtained by PEOPLE at the time, Donahue died in August at the age of 88 after a long illness, with Marlo and his sister, children, grandchildren and dog Charlie at his side.

Hoda Kotb asked Tony how his sister was doing after Donahue’s death this summer, and he said Marlo was doing “the best you could expect.”

“She loved her husband, it was a 44-year marriage that was a true love affair,” Tony said of the longtime couple, who married in 1980 after meeting The Phil Donahue Show in 1977, where sparks immediately flew.

“Everyone who called me said, ‘I can’t believe their marriage was such a love affair and such chemistry.’ It was… they were very, very close and I think it’s going to take a while for her to come to terms with that.”

Tony confirmed his sister “will be back next year” to take part in the annual campaign, which raises money for the free children’s hospital through partnerships with brands across the country.

The Today The show also hosts an annual Spotlight Series, sharing the stories of St. Jude patients and families who have benefited from its services.

Guthrie, 52, asked Tony to “definitely give Marlo our love. We know she will be very proud that you are here talking about the work of St. Jude that means so much to her and to you,” and later she said, “If Marlo is watching, we love you.”

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During the segment, Tony also reflected on the impact his father’s mission has had since he opened St. Jude more than 60 years ago.

“I think he would be amazed but also shocked. It’s been a long time since they opened these doors. There was a time when they wrote checks to pay the payroll of doctors and scientists.”